Việt Nam to enhance the fisheries management system to combat IUU

After receiving a yellow card warning from the European Commission over Vietnam’s insufficient action to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, stakeholders are preparing a national action plan to prevent, minimize and eliminate illegal, IUU fishing by 2025.

Speaking at the a press conference held in Hà Nội on November 1st, Acting Director General of Directorate of Fisheries Nguyễn Ngọc Oai said the draft plan was submitted to the Prime Minister on October 10. It will be implemented as soon as it is approved.

Oai said MARD had established an inter-sectoral working group to direct and co-ordinate actions to satisfy the EC’s strict regulations against IUU fishing. According to Oai, the yellow card warning offers Việt Nam the opportunity to take measures to rectify the situation within six months. “During this time, “We will organize delegations to negotiate with EU representatives to help EC acknowledge the efforts of Việt Nam in implementing and responding to EU recommendations and encourage marine enterprises to continue to strictly implement the commitments on purchasing legal and transparent sources of raw materials, developing transparent seafood purchasing rules.

In addition, these stakeholders will continue to closely coordinate, actively support the state management agencies in implementing regulations on preventing IUU fishing, proposing changes in the management method of fishing ports, building fisheries database for the management and traceability, meeting the requirements of the EU market.

Oai also said Việt Nam would quickly complete procedures for accession to the UN Fish Stocks Agreement and the FAO Port State Measures Agreement. As soon as the revised Fisheries Law is passed by the National Assembly this year, the Government will issue regulations to create a legal framework for fisheries management as required by the EU.

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